HC Deb 29 March 2001 vol 365 cc752-3W
Dr. Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent and is allocated to be spent in England on specialist advice and support in the NHS for smokers wanting to quit in(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02. [153439]

Yvette Cooper

Details of allocation and expenditure are shown in the table.

£ million
Health action zones Health authorities Allocation Total Total Expenditure
1999–2000 10 0 10 5.0
2000–01 10 10 20 16.1
2001–02 10 10 20 N/A
1April to September (Figures for October to March not available)

The table shows investment in National Health Service smoking cessation support services. In 2001–02 health authorities have been given additional resources to fund the new smoking cessation aid, Zyban, and Nicotine Replacement Therapy on NHS prescription.

Research has confirmed that complex services such as cessation services take time to establish. As a result the total allocation was not spent in the first year. The remainder was carried over for expenditure on the services during the following year.